By your Grace
we are forgiven,
in your peace
our lives are lived.
By your touch
we know healing,
in your strength
are we made whole.
When this is forgotten,
our focus on self,
your face obscured,
forgive and restore.
Take our mustard seed of faith
and let it grow,
take root
and blossom
in our hearts and lives.
Through our Saviour
Jesus Christ
and in no other name
do we ask this. Amen
John
Birch
It’s staggering. Too much. I tried to write a blog about it, but words failed me. They still do, really, but with 1,720 further deaths announced yesterday, I thought I should try again. 100,000 people. This virus is not under control.
The Archbishops – Justin of Canterbury and Stephen of York – have written a letter to the nation, inviting us all to reflect on the enormity of the pandemic. It's hard not to. Enormity is a very good word in this context. Every one of the 101,887 people who have died within 28 days of a positive Covid test is part of someone’s family or friends. We were reflecting on it already, your Graces, it is a terrible situation. Yes, “We also believe that each of these people was known to God and cherished by God”.
The Archbishops are suggesting that people of faith and of no faith “call on God in prayer”. We are already praying. I am not sure how people without faith can realistically pray to a God they don’t believe in, but maybe they will. Justin and Stephen affirm that “Prayer is an expression of love”. That is something I can identify with, and our prayer can be in remembrance of loved ones, in solidarity with the bereaved, prayer for those who strive heroically to support, heal and save others.
The Archbishops’ message is remarkably all-embracing,
inviting the whole nation to reflect and pray whatever their beliefs, and I
warm to that vision so much. I often wish the churches would come out of their
shells and be more clearly there for everyone. In this time of great sadness,
in a situation which will not improve sufficiently for a considerable time, we
all need to know that there is hope and that we can stand together despite the
failings and setbacks which we experience.
A prayer from the Church of England website, supposedly
for use by children, but surely suitable for all ……. “Unless ye become as
little children…..”
God of love and hope, you made the world and care for all
creation, but the world feels strange right now. The news is full of stories
about Coronavirus. Some people are worried that they might get ill, others are
anxious for their family and friends. Be with them and help them to find peace.
We pray for the doctors and nurses and scientists, and
all who are working to discover the right medicines to help those who are ill.
Thank you that even in these anxious times you are with
us. Help us to put our trust in you and keep us safe. In Jesus’ name. Amen
A Psalm of lament and praise in a time of coronavirus
How shall we praise you, Lord, our God?
When we are locked down,
how shall we praise you?
When the doors to your house are closed,
and your people cannot assemble?
When those desperately in need of money and work
cannot even wait in the market-place?
When we have to circle round people in the street,
and to queue for shops maintaining safe distance?
When we can only communicate
by hearing on the phone,
or seeing on the screen;
or digitally messaging,
or even just waving through a window?
When we cannot meet our parents and children,
grandparents and grandchildren,
or other family members and friends?
When we cannot touch them in their flesh and blood,
to know they are really alive?
How shall we praise you?
How, like Thomas, shall we not see yet believe
that your son is raised among us?
How shall we praise you?
How can I praise you, Lord?
Are you still the same loving God,
coming to us in our sufferings
and opening up the way to new life in Jesus?
Lord, I will try to praise you..
I will try to keep myself and others safe.
I will work to pray for them
and seek to help in whatever way I can.
Lord, when I cannot pray or worship
help me be aware of all your people
and your saints and angels
surrounding me,
lifting me up.
When I feel alone,
let me feel you near me,
even if only for a moment that enables me to go on.
Let me hear you say
“Peace be with you”.
Lord, I will praise you.
Let all the peoples praise you.
Based on the lament by the Revd Kenneth Howcroft
‘For I am convinced that neither
death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to
come… will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Lord.’ (Romans 8:38-39)
God of heaven and earth,
in these times of isolation,
apart from loved ones
distant from friends
away from neighbours
thank you that there is nothing
in all of creation,
not even coronavirus,
that is able to separate us from your
love.
And may your love that never
fails
continues to be shared
through the kindness of strangers
looking out for each other,
for neighbours near and far
all recognising our shared
vulnerability,
each of us grateful for every breath,
and willing everyone to know the gift
of a full and healthy life.
Keep us all in your care. Christian Aid Prayer
Annmarie
writes: I am presently cataloguing my large collection of Early Children’s
books ready to pass on somewhere. This collection started when I worked in the
Library of Congress. It struck me just how many of the books had an underlying
Christian message if not a very overt one.
“while we sing the praises of God in his church we are employed in that part of worship which of all others is the nearest akin to heaven...”
He and his family
were Dissenters and had been imprisoned for
their non conformity. The congregations in his time predominantly sang just the
psalms of David as many hymns caused great controversy especially those by Watts
because of their theological perspective. It’s hard to understand now when his
hymns like “when I survey the wondrous cross” are so much part of our heritage.
Isaac
Watts was employed by Sir Thomas Abney as tutor for his young children and for
whom Watts wrote his Divine And Moral songs for children in 1715. Sir Thomas was Lord Mayor of London in 1700
and a founder member of the Bank of England. The Abney family worshipped as Anglicans as it would not have been possible to hold high office if you were a non-conformist!
We
still sing some of Watts hymns today amongst then are:
O
God our help in ages past
Jesus
shall reign
Joy
to the world.
The
illustrations are taken from two very early editions of Divine Songs
“Were the whole realm
of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul my life my all”
Paolo Veronese The Wedding at Cana That's a crowd!
Our Gospel this week is about the wedding in Cana that Jesus and his friends attended.
We were blessed last year at All Saints by having the
opportunity in December, just between the two lockdowns, to celebrate with Shurti
and Shope their wedding. Although there were all the restrictions on numbers
attending, wearing masks and a lot of hand sanitising and virtually no hugging,
the wedding was amazing, joyous, colourful and very celebratory. Their wedding
really showed us all how much joy there can be even in these very challenging
times.
Jesus’ friends celebrating in Cana were not
so fortunate. The wine runs out. This story can speak to our lives at this time
of lockdown as we may feel that in many ways our spiritual ‘wine’ has run out. The
sense of the celebration and enjoyment of life has evaporated. Perhaps each of
us could tell a story about that.
When the wine runs out, we may be tempted to
look for a substitute by working harder, doing more, or – worse – giving in to
wallowing in a loss of hope. Don’t reach for the bottle, for “running out of
wine” can be a new beginning and makes straight the way for miracles to happen.
In our emptiness we can ask God to fill us with newness. As at Cana, Jesus steps
into our lives bringing hope and filling us with love, that spills over so that
we can share this love with others.
Go peaceful
in gentleness
through the violence of these days.
Give freely.
Show tenderness
in all your ways.
Through darkness,
in troubled times
let holiness be your aim.
Seek wisdom.
Let faithfulness
burn like a flame.
God speed you!
God lead you,
and keep you wrapped around His heart!
May you be known by love.
Be righteous.
Speak truthfully
in a world of greed and lies.
Show kindness.
See everyone
through heaven’s eyes.
God hold you,
enfold you,
and keep you wrapped around His heart.
May you be known by love.
